New Year's Prayer

May 2012 find you walking more intimately with Jesus.  May it be a year of surrender, trust, belief and faith.  That will assure the most blessed days you will ever walk this side of heaven.

Today’s Facebook posting just seemed to pop out of nowhere.  When I really read what I wrote, I was shocked by the simple truth of the statement. 

Yesterday, having been a very difficult day, was the opposite of that goal.  I wasn’t surrendered to the will of Jesus.  I had no trust, believed that there was no hope, and my faith was hanging by a thread.  All very bad choices on my part!

But, God is so faithful, even when I am not!  In the midst of my anguish, I had prayer, and lots of it.  He heard every sobbing cry of desperation and rode in to save the day.  In less than 24 hours, there was healing and restoration in a way I could never have imagined!

This is but one of many examples of my forgetfulness of the bigness of God.  Why can’t I remember that He always takes care of me and eliminate the hours/days/weeks of worry?  He has always proven Himself faithful.  His ways (though not always my ways) have brought change and hope to situations that seemed impossible.

So in the stillness of this New Year’s Eve morning, I reflect on the outgoing of 2011 and the start of something new.  2012 may well have difficulties--but, if I could only get my mind grounded on the Truth of God’s promises, then I wouldn’t be shaken by any of it.  If my focus is on the face of Jesus, I won’t stress about the world around me.

So my payer for you, and for me, as we cross this calendar page is this:

May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) Lord, may you keep our minds steady upon you.  May our gaze be always into your eyes, believing, trusting and surrendered to the reality of your faithfulness.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

The Sound of Silence

It's Sunday morning, and for a few minutes more, I'm alone with nothing but the sound of the refrigerator whirring in the background.  I've plugged in the Christmas tree and the simple stillness of the morning has reminded me just how long its been since I've sat down to write anything at all.

November was a month of transition for me.  At work, I have a new Program Director and it's required many extra hours of teaching and computer tweaking to get our new team up to speed.  Change is always challenging, but I trust that the Lord is working through it all.  Now that we are beginning to settle into a new routine, things are going much more smoothly, which in turn allows work to feel more fun.

On the home front, it's the Christmas season, and every mom knows all the extras that it entails.  I need to take the time to sit and write our Christmas letter, but in thinking of what to include on one sheet of paper that encompasses the last 365 days of four individuals seems a little daunting.

On one hand, we haven't had any remarkable changes.  We are in the same home, with the same jobs and have had no major illnesses (all of which I thank God for!).  But, on the other hand, we've had lots of little things that have at times rocked me, confused me, scared me or tested my faith. 

So for today, and for the content of our Christmas letter, I think I'll focus on the simplicity of the glittery ornaments that have caught my eye.  There are three that stand out, and they simply read: Joy, Jesus, Peace.